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By Carole Meghreblian
FLArmenians Naples Contributor

Last month, the Armenian Church of Southwest Florida (ACSWFL) mission parish collected $1,067 as part of the Diocese’s Department of Mission Parishes food drive for children in need.

(Also on FLArmenians: Florida Mission Parish Update from ACSWFL)

The funds were donated to the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Ft. Myers, in memory of the children who were victims of anti-Armenian pogroms in Azerbaijan (1988-89) and the war in Nagorno-Karabagh (1991-1994).

Meg Madzar, Campaign Project Coordinator, Harry Chapin Food Bank & Carol Meghreblian, ACSWFL Parish Council Chairwoman

The Harry Chapin Food Bank serves five counties in southwest Florida: Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee. In 2011, they distributed 15 million pounds of food and other grocery items valued at $24.9 million, to more than 160 non-profit partners who serve more than 30,000 people monthly. This is a first-time collection for the ACSWFL, and they intend to make it an annual event.

Posted in Armenian Church, Arts & Culture, General Update, News, Press Release

St. Haroutiun Armenian Church of Orlando Food Festival & Bazaar

Posted on November 13, 2012 | Image

Samara Supermarket Arrives in South Florida

Oct 16

Posted by Florida Armenians

By Robyn and Doug Kalajian
FLArmenians Cuisine Contributors

During our two-month absence from home this summer, Doug and I returned to find new businesses popping up around us – a very good sign.

Our first discovery was that a formerly closed Winn-Dixie supermarket has been completely revamped with a fresh, appealing look. With its new carving stations, cheese store with cheese and wine experts, in-house chef, fresh sushi, free coffee and free Wi-Fi, Winn-Dixie will rival even the snazziest Whole Foods or Fresh Market.

What truly got our hearts pumping is opening of the new Samara Supermarket in Boynton Beach’s shopping corridor. FINALLY, a Middle Eastern store close enough so that we don’t have to make a day’s trip out of buying ingredients we need to operate The Armenian Kitchen.

We found Samara by accident while perusing a local advertising publication. This prompted an immediate trip to examine their wares and determine whether or not the store would meet our needs. The answer: yes, it would!

Samara is a spacious store owned by Khaled (Ken) Samara. Ken was inspired to open a Middle Eastern store in central Palm Beach County because he saw a need for one in this location.

The shelves are neatly lined with canned, jarred, and packaged products – bulgur, lentils, olives, Noyan preserves from Armenia, red pepper paste, and so much more.

The refrigerated and freezer sections contain a variety of cheeses including Armenian twisted cheese (Karoun and Gharibian brands), lahmajoun, phyllo and kadaiff dough – to name a few.

There is a small fresh produce department featuring eggplant, Persian cucumbers, pomegranates and such.

What really surprised us was the fresh (Halal) meat counter complete with a butcher. There was a lamb carcass hanging in the refrigerator, and a lamb’s head displayed in the meat case – pacha, anyone? And cow hooves – Mmmmm, khash!

Need hookah paraphernalia? Ouds? dumbegs? They’re here, too!

Ken was was quick to mention that customer satisfaction is important to them, and if we didn’t see a product we wanted, let him know and he would order it.

We liked that aspect very much.

Ken is already looking forward to the store’s expansion. He’s planning to install an oven for making freshly baked pita bread, and adding a kitchen so food can be made on-site, such as stuffed grape leaves, spinach turnovers, za’taar bread – you know the menu.